Acupuncture

ACUPUNCTURE PROCEDURES

Acupuncture is a nearly painless procedure whereby extremely thin (0.25 mm) acupuncture needles are inserted through the skin. The needles are then used to manipulate subcutaneous tissues including nerves, muscles, and blood vessels in order to treat your problem. There are many different procedures used by acupuncturists. Your doctor chooses which procedure or technique best suits your clinical needs. Dr. Godwin specializes in electroacupuncture, scalp acupuncture, and trigger-point acupuncture.

Electroacupuncture

Acupuncture works by stimulating particular nerve fibers and specific soft tissue in particular ways. Modern acupuncturists use electronic stimulation (estim) to deliver a perfectly measured stimulation to the acupuncture needles. This is called electroacupuncture. The frequency and wave pattern can be adjusted with electroacupuncture to elicit a precise and effective response from your nervous system and the connective tissues surrounding the needle. This procedure provides the best results and is usually used in combination with other procedures.

Scalp Acupuncture

Another more recent development in modern acupuncture is known as 'scalp acupuncture.' Scalp acupuncture uses treatment sites on the scalp and has been shown in clinical trials to be very effective at treating many different conditions, including pain. It has been shown with advanced imaging studies (fMRI) that scalp acupuncture can have precise effects on the brain. This makes it an important part of modern acupuncture treatment.

Trigger-Point Therapy & Dry-Needling

Both of these terms are really just acupuncture by different names. Dr. Godwin has specialized training in treating neuromuscular problems using acupuncture. This method is probably one of the most common, and most effective, in any acupuncturist's repertoire. Trigger-points are just another term for the painful knots you have probably felt in a sore, or injured muscle. Acupuncture is very effective at treating myofascial trigger-points.

CONDITIONS WE TREAT

What To Expect From Acupuncture

Your individual treatment plan will vary according to your diagnosis and response to treatment. In general, your treatment plan will start with your initial exam and treatment followed by 4-6 procedures, usually 2 per week. After every 4-6 procedures, you will have a follow-up exam to determine your progress and response to treatment. Your doctor will make changes to your treatment plan at these visits. The frequency of the procedures usually drops to 1 per week after the initial 4-6 procedures. The frequency will continue to drop as your condition improves. Eventually you will either be moved to an as-needed basis or discharged completely. We basically diagnose and plan at exam visits, and then treat 4-6 times followed by an exam to measure how you are doing. We repeat this diagnose-treat-diagnose course as many times as we need to resolve your condition. You will have a pretty good idea of what you will need after your first visit.

Back Pain

Whether your pain is from overuse, strain, bulging discs, or an injury, back pain is one of the most researched conditions for acupuncture. Back and neck pain are the two most commonly treated conditions at our clinic. We are hugely successful with both.

Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain is often a "wear and tear" issue. Shoulder pain can be caused by tendonitis in the joint, muscle strain, tears in the rotator cuff. Acupuncture is a good choice in all of these cases. Even if surgery is required, studies show that patients who get acupuncture before and after the procedure recover more quickly and completely. Shoulder pain is the third most common condition treated in our clinic.

Knee Pain

Knee pain is very common. It can be caused by overuse, injury, or diseases like osteoarthritis. Whether you have been given a diagnosis of torn meniscus, torn ligaments, bursitis, or have no idea what is causing your knee pain, acupuncture is a valid option. Some of the largest and most powerful studies demonstrate superiority of acupuncture over other options for knee pain.

Neck Pain

Neck pain from overuse, chronic strain, and injury is a very common condition with years of solid research demonstrating acupuncture's effectiveness. Back and neck pain are the two most commonly treated conditions at our clinic. We are hugely successful with both.

Headaches

Headaches can be caused by a variety of problems. Acupuncture is highly effective at treating headaches. This is partly because acupuncture affects several affective aspects of pain mediated by various networks in your brain—these are a major component in headaches.

Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis both respond well to acupuncture treatment. With arthritis, the objective is to more to control the pain than to actually repair the bone. Many people have moderate-to-severe arthritis with very little pain. Your brain can modulate what pain you feel and how you feel it. Acupuncture affects these functions in your brain.

Fibromyalgia (FMS)

FMS is a poorly understood condition that is notoriously difficult to treat using drugs. FMS responds to acupuncture over time. Immediate pain reduction is possible, but lasting results take time—more time than most other conditions. It usually takes 3-4 months regular/semi-regular treatments to get lasting effects. However, considering that this is still safer, and sometimes more effective than pharmaceutical therapy, acupuncture is worth trying. Also, some recent research suggests that, as with depression, acupuncture PLUS pharmaceutical therapy is more effective than either on its own. This integrative approach is an exciting area of research.

Palliative care for cancer patients

Research on acupuncture for cancer care has grown significantly over the past 10 years and has not slowed. The known mechanisms of action for acupuncture make it a promising therapeutic intervention for cancer care. Its mechanisms do not interfere with other treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or medical treatments. This means we can use acupuncture along side other standardized approaches. Acupuncture can improve quality of life, provide palliative care, and may even help your body withstand more aggressive treatment regimens.

Speak with your oncologist about integrating acupuncture into your care plan. Though a referral is not necessary to see our doctors, coordination between your various providers can improve your quality of care.